An intelligent work force drives industry, and Penang is proud of its educated local talent. Penang has more than 30 post- secondary educational institutions, including Penang Medical College and the

Mohd Sofi Osman, managing director, AMD, Malaysia

first (and largest) school of pharmacy in Malaysia.
   When it comes to skills training for the area's work force, the Penang Skills Development Centre operates as a non- profit, joint effort of industry, academia and government and has trained tens of thousands of workers.
   "They even help us to import specialized training if it is not available locally," says Mohd Sofi Osman, managing director of AMD in Malaysia. The specialized training is essential now that most of the multinationals in Penang "are starting to move their operations up the value chain," he says.
   "And the education system will have to follow suit," he adds. More high- end circuit designers are needed in Penang. "The demand is more than the supply."
   Simon Wong, managing director of Dell Asia Pacific, says Penang should undertake a "brain gain" initiative to bring home its best talent, "like Taiwan did," he adds.
   Before Malaysia's industrial economy can move up the food chain, says Rod Libby, managing director of Linear Semiconductor, "it needs to enhance the depth and breadth of its educational system in the universities; provide more cutting- edge, advanced EE programs."